India Under-16 out of 33rd Dallas Cup

The India Under-16 national team, which is currently on a long-term training program at the IMG Academy in Florida, took part in the 33rd edition of the Dallas Cup, a big youth tournament in the United States. But unlike last year where the India U-15 boys made it to the knockout stages in their respective age group this time around the India U-16 boys are out after the group stage.

The India U-16 boys were placed in Bracket D alongside local US sides Houston Dynamo U15 Pre-Academy (Texas), West Coast FC (California) and Dallas Texans White West (North-Texas).

On Sunday India U-16 lost their opening match 0-1 against Dallas Texans White West (North-Texas), then a 1-2 defeat followed against Houston Dynamo U15 Pre-Academy (Texas) the very next day and yesterday, April 4 they draw goalless with West Coast FC (California).

A lot had been expected from the India Under-16 team especially from talented youngster Uttam Rai, who had been featured as a potential pre-tournament star of the future; but only defender Nitin Jyal could score a goal for the India U-16 boys in three matches. The India U-16 boys played three close matches, but only gained a point still the boys will be wiser from the experience playing against US teams.

33rd Dallas Cup: Watch out for India's Uttam Rai!

The 33rd edition of the Dallas Cup will be played from April 1 to 8 in Dallas, Texas. The India Under-16 boys, who are currently training at the IMG Academy in Florida, will be playing in Bracket D along with local US sides Houston Dynamo U15 Pre-Academy (Texas), West Coast FC (California) and Dallas Texans White West (North-Texas). Other foreign participants in the Under-16 category come from England, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico, Trinidad&Tobago and the United Arab Emirates.

Last year the same set of boys as the India Under-15 team had reached the quarterfinals after winning their Group G with six points ahead of Santa Clara Sporting (California) with five, while Sockers U15 Cup (Illinois) had four points and TSF Academy Grey (New Jersey) finished last with only one point to their name. But the tournament ended in the quarterfinals against FC Golden State with a 3-4 loss.

On a North Texas website they have put a list together of the Top 10 Players to Watch at Dr Pepper Dallas Cup XXXIII. And this list contains talented Indian Youth striker Uttam Rai. It is a great honour for the youngster, but also added pressure then players like Wayne Rooney, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Raul have played in the tournament in the past.

The website wrote about Uttam: Rai is arguably the best youth prospect for the populous nation of India. He will be looking to make his mark on Dallas Cup in 2012 after being injured in this same tournament last season. This attacking talent has trained with Arsenal FC of England in the past.

For the India Under-16 team the 33rd Dallas Cup is good international exposure ahead of tougher assignments in future Asian Youth tournaments.

Dallas Cup: INDIA U-15 reach quarterfinals

The India Under-15 boys team has made it to the quarterfinals of the Under-15 age group category of the 32nd Dallas Cup in the US state of Texas. They topped Group G ahead of local US competitors and now face FC Golden State (California) later today for a spot in the semifinals.

It wasn't the best of starts as India U-15 lost their opening game 1-2 against Santa Clara Sporting from California, but the boys recovered to win 5-2 against TSF Academy Grey and then scored a crucial 1-0 win against Sockers U15 Cup yesterday through a Mohanna goal to confirm that they stay in the tournament.

In the end India would go on to top Group G with six points ahead of Santa Clara Sporting (California) with five, while Sockers U15 Cup (Illinois) are out with four points and TSF Academy Grey (New Jersey) finished last with only one point to their name.

The India Under-15 team has now been based in Florida since September 2010 and have been training at the IMG Academy. Their friendly results in the US and on a trip to Brazil have been very encouraging.